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Inside Tesla’s Model 3 Factory

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Re: Inside Tesla’s Model 3 Factory

#41

Post by rgrove »

bgorman wrote: post #33

The thing that stands out to me here is that Tesla has wasted a ton of time and money building up competency in commodity features. No consumer considers Tesla Seats to be the differentiating factor. Why on earth didn't Tesla just decide to use a more conventional seat design and outsource the work to a Seat supplier like all other car manufacturers. Kind of reminds me of Software Engineers that always want to roll t…

For what it's worth, the seats in my Model 3 are the most comfortable car seats I think I've ever sat on. The seats didn't really influence my decision to purchase, but they've sure influenced my satisfaction with the car.

Re: Inside Tesla’s Model 3 Factory

#42

Post by FireBeyond »

kjksf wrote: post #37
bgorman wrote: post #33

The thing that stands out to me here is that Tesla has wasted a ton of time and money building up competency in commodity features. No consumer considers Tesla Seats to be the differentiating factor. Why on earth didn't Tesla just decide to use a more conventional seat design and outsource the work to a Seat supplier like all other car manufacturers. Kind of reminds me of Software Engineers that always want to roll t…

One possibility: that mindset of mediocrity doesn't produce excellence. Apple, for example, is famous for caring about things that rationally they shouldn't care, like the insides of their computers. And since history is written by victors and we apply post factum rationalization, no one says that Apple is wrong to care about details that are arguably irrelevant to the success. The same will happen with Tesla. If Tes…

> One possibility: that mindset of mediocrity doesn't produce excellence.

> Apple, for example, is famous for caring about things that rationally they shouldn't care, like the insides of their computers.

Except, by all accounts and opinions, there's a fair degree of interior "mediocrity". Whilst the screen is all flashy and showy, the dash, console are pretty "average". And by average I mean, creaking, flimsy-ish, plastic parts. Even on a $100,000+ Model S. My Altima has a comparable dash to the Model S. My Audi S class? Hugely better, objectively and subjectively.

Re: Inside Tesla’s Model 3 Factory

#43

Post by gregpilling »

darzu wrote: post #22
Odenwaelder wrote: post #3

How do you decide on which brand of robots to use? I remember seeing videos from the Model S production line having only KUKA robots, but for the Model 3, I only see FANUC.

Does anyone know approx. how much one of these costs? https://www.fanucamerica.com/home/products-services/robots/f...

a fairly standard industrial welding cell like a Panasonic 750 is between $85 to 125 thousand dollars per unit, which includes robot arm, welding power supply, turntable, chassis that is it mounted to, and the transformer to power it. Requires 240V 3ph 60A service.

http://www.insrobotics.com/panasonic-robotic-parts-repair/Pa...

Source: I own two. They kick ass, and make more stuff that you would believe is possible in a day.

Re: Inside Tesla’s Model 3 Factory

#44

Post by jacobolus »

rgrove wrote: post #41
bgorman wrote: post #33

The thing that stands out to me here is that Tesla has wasted a ton of time and money building up competency in commodity features. No consumer considers Tesla Seats to be the differentiating factor. Why on earth didn't Tesla just decide to use a more conventional seat design and outsource the work to a Seat supplier like all other car manufacturers. Kind of reminds me of Software Engineers that always want to roll t…

For what it's worth, the seats in my Model 3 are the most comfortable car seats I think I've ever sat on. The seats didn't really influence my decision to purchase, but they've sure influenced my satisfaction with the car.

I have not tried Tesla seats, but in general car seats, airplane seats, and most office chairs are absolutely horrible, not designed with any regard for human anatomy.

If an auto maker produced better shaped seats, that could make a more significant difference to the experience of riding in the car than many other possible features.

Re: Inside Tesla’s Model 3 Factory

#45

Post by Pywarrior »

kjksf wrote: post #37
bgorman wrote: post #33

The thing that stands out to me here is that Tesla has wasted a ton of time and money building up competency in commodity features. No consumer considers Tesla Seats to be the differentiating factor. Why on earth didn't Tesla just decide to use a more conventional seat design and outsource the work to a Seat supplier like all other car manufacturers. Kind of reminds me of Software Engineers that always want to roll t…

One possibility: that mindset of mediocrity doesn't produce excellence. Apple, for example, is famous for caring about things that rationally they shouldn't care, like the insides of their computers. And since history is written by victors and we apply post factum rationalization, no one says that Apple is wrong to care about details that are arguably irrelevant to the success. The same will happen with Tesla. If Tes…

A key elements of successful outsourcing are defining quality standards and remediation processes in the case the supplier quality changes and fails to meet those standards. Outsourcing can often and if managed well likely lead to higher quality components. A successful automotive supply chain is deeply rooted in the division and specialization of labor in the supply chain. Partnering with Recaro is one option that would have resulted in high quality seats built to OEM spec, it would have also brought a lot of positive media, it would have allowed cross marketing between the companies, it would have allowed Tesla purchasing executives and engineers to collaborate with experts in seat engineering and manufacturing. They could have also shared all the warranty costs with Recaro or whatever supplier they chose. Using suppliers does not automatically mean lower quality. My bet is on internal Tesla disorganization and or low standards that caused the supplier relationship to fail. Recaro for reference: https://en.recaro.com/business-areas/automotive-seating.html

Re: Inside Tesla’s Model 3 Factory

#46

Post by greglindahl »

bgorman wrote: post #33

The thing that stands out to me here is that Tesla has wasted a ton of time and money building up competency in commodity features. No consumer considers Tesla Seats to be the differentiating factor. Why on earth didn't Tesla just decide to use a more conventional seat design and outsource the work to a Seat supplier like all other car manufacturers. Kind of reminds me of Software Engineers that always want to roll t…

The pillar seats in Model X were considered by Tesla to be a killer feature at launch.

Lots of people Monday-morning quarterbacked Model S's disappearing door handles, and now Porsche is putting them on Mission E.

Re: Inside Tesla’s Model 3 Factory

#47

Post by NickNameNick »

jacobolus wrote: post #44
rgrove wrote: post #41

Earlier quoted context omitted.

For what it's worth, the seats in my Model 3 are the most comfortable car seats I think I've ever sat on. The seats didn't really influence my decision to purchase, but they've sure influenced my satisfaction with the car.

I have not tried Tesla seats, but in general car seats, airplane seats, and most office chairs are absolutely horrible, not designed with any regard for human anatomy. If an auto maker produced better shaped seats, that could make a more significant difference to the experience of riding in the car than many other possible features.

I'm 6'7". Car seats have influenced my decision to purchase before, and will again.

Right now, I drive a Subaru, and not the (cheaper) Ford or Mazda equivalents that I was considering because the Subaru seat is that much better.

I sat in each car in a tesla showroom a few weeks ago, and was pleasantly surprised by the seats, Although the driving position in the model 3 isn't great for me. - I'm unlikely to be able to see traffic lights. No such issue in the model X with it's wrap-over windscreen, but that's out of my price range.

Re: Inside Tesla’s Model 3 Factory

#48

Post by rootusrootus »

heisenbergs wrote: post #19

Wow. There is so much machinery that it's hard to spot the actual car parts. Would like to know how this compares to other car manufacturers. I've seen pictures from VW where there always seem to be humans around, though that may be part of PR. I also wonder when the typical Muskian move of in-housing more than is usual (ie car seats) will fall over, or whether this will remain a competitive advantage as Tesla will h…

Most established car manufacturers have the body line near 100% automated. Tesla isn't doing too bad really but they are still playing catch up.

People like to talk like the existing companies are back in the stone age or something. Hardly.

Re: Inside Tesla’s Model 3 Factory

#49

Post by Someone1234 »

NickNameNick wrote: post #47
jacobolus wrote: post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have not tried Tesla seats, but in general car seats, airplane seats, and most office chairs are absolutely horrible, not designed with any regard for human anatomy. If an auto maker produced better shaped seats, that could make a more significant difference to the experience of riding in the car than many other possible features.

I'm 6'7". Car seats have influenced my decision to purchase before, and will again. Right now, I drive a Subaru, and not the (cheaper) Ford or Mazda equivalents that I was considering because the Subaru seat is that much better. I sat in each car in a tesla showroom a few weeks ago, and was pleasantly surprised by the seats, Although the driving position in the model 3 isn't great for me. - I'm unlikely to be able to…

I can second Subaru being great for tall people.

When I was shopping for our current vehicle, we excluded 50% of the list after trying the driver's seat even with adjustment, they aren't designed for tall people.

For example the Nissan Rogue is a fantastic vehicle by all accounts (and the trunk organizer I still miss), but we skipped on it due to the seat comfort.

Re: Inside Tesla’s Model 3 Factory

#50

Post by pbreit »

bgorman wrote: post #33

The thing that stands out to me here is that Tesla has wasted a ton of time and money building up competency in commodity features. No consumer considers Tesla Seats to be the differentiating factor. Why on earth didn't Tesla just decide to use a more conventional seat design and outsource the work to a Seat supplier like all other car manufacturers. Kind of reminds me of Software Engineers that always want to roll t…

You do realize that Tesla's $55b valuation is the result of doing the opposite of what you suggest?
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